Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to support the innovation and development of second and third generation sustainable aviation fuel.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We are encouraging the innovation and development of sustainable aviation fuels through a number of policy measures: The SAF Mandate, introduced in January 2025, generates a demand for advanced fuels by capping HEFA SAF and having targets for second and third generation SAFs.
We also encourage the development of such fuels through the Advanced Fuels Fund which is providing £63m to support 17 projects this year across a range of advanced SAF development including power-to-liquid. Support for the development of second and third generation SAFs will continue through the upcoming spending review period.
We also fund the UK SAF Clearing House, which coordinates the testing and qualification of SAF. Over £223k of grant funding for fuel testing has been awarded since 2024.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what external organisations are feeding into the review of the Airports National Policy Statement.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We have procured external experts to help inform our understanding of the links between air connectivity and the economy, and to undertake an Appraisal of Sustainability, Habitats Regulations Assessment, Health Impact Analysis and Equalities Impact Assessment to consider the environmental, social and economic impacts of Heathrow expansion.
We are engaging with a range of external stakeholders to discuss the Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) review process and understand their views, as per the published Statement of Approach on Engagement. We have also requested technical information from Heathrow Airport Limited, as a potential promoter of the scheme informing the ANPS review, and as current airport operator, to inform the ANPS review, which has been published here.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will publish the (a) Aviation Night Noise Effects study and (b) Aviation Noise Attitudes Survey before the review of the Airports National Policy Statement is completed.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Aviation Night Noise Effects and Aviation Noise Attitudes studies are currently being completed and are expected to be ready for publication before the review of the Airports National Policy Statement is concluded.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if the economic review of Heathrow expansion is seeking input from external experts.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
I refer the hon Member to the answer I gave on 11 February 2026, to Question UIN 108285.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the policy paper entitled, Review of the Airports National Policy Statement engagement update, updated on 18 February 2026, on what date it made the requests to Heathrow Airport Ltd, and what date it received a reply.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department provided Heathrow Airport Ltd with a provisional list of requests on 5 February 2026 prior to publishing the list on 18 February 2026. The Department received a response from Heathrow Airport Ltd on 20 February 2026.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will set up a meeting between the Aviation Minister and the Hon. Members for Twickenham and Richmond Park following his correspondence referenced MC 00050628.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
My officials have scheduled a meeting for the end of February.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department's reviews into the a) economics and b) environmental impacts of Heathrow expansion are seeking external expert input.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department’s review into the economic and environmental impacts of Heathrow expansion includes both internal and external expert input.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to promote community engagement on the new Air Navigation Guidance.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport consulted on potential changes to the statutory guidance (The Air Navigation Guidance) it provides to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This guidance is used by the CAA to inform its airspace change process. The consultation closed on 26 January 2026 and responses are now being reviewed.
The consultation was open to everyone and a number of groups representing local communities, as well as individuals and companies, responded.
Engagement and consultation has always been part of the airspace change process. The proposals in the draft Guidance aim to retain and enhance the principle that anyone potentially affected by an airspace change should have the information they need and the ability to feed in their views before final decisions are taken. The sponsor for an Airspace Change will be responsible for ensuring this happens effectively as a key part of the airspace change process.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will commission an independent financial review of the feasibility of Heathrow expansion.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that any scheme for Heathrow expansion is deliverable and affordable. Last year, the Government undertook a comparative assessment of the proposals, on its individual merits against the published criteria, which included financial considerations. Since this is a private sector project, it is for the potential promoters to develop and finance expansion proposals, and to demonstrate that any scheme is financially viable.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will confirm that there will be a public consultation on the Airports National Policy Statement whether or not it is amended.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Yes, we will publicly consult on the outcome of the review of the Airports National Policy Statement.